I am forever watching YouTube Videos for beauty tips specifically for oriental facial features (because I am Chinese, in case you didn’t know, haha) and more often than not, the beauty gurus are using Korean beauty products.
For me, these products are more than just the cute packaging – although I’m hugely drawn in by adorable designs – but it also works well on my skin-tone and features.
Having been to that part of the world, I have seen first hand how beauty products are marketed over there. Most of it isn’t anything out of the ordinary, but of course, some of the products are released for the Asian market only.
I actually have used a couple of Korean cosmetics before like an eye glue. YES, AN EYE GLUE. A glue that you apply to your eyelids to create a ‘double eyelid’ which make your eyes appear bigger. It sounds strange, right? It’s very similar to false eyelash glue and it even comes with a plastic prong so you can prod your eyelids with it to get the exact look you want. If anyone’s interested in what this looks like, just google Koji Eye Talk! I’ve just revealed one of my beauty secrets right there!
So, when Hong Kong based cosmetics chain, Bonjour, offered to send me a box of goodies to try, I was intrigued at how it compares with the stuff you can get from Boots and Superdrug.
Bonjour picked a bunch of Korean beauty products that they’d thought I would like. This is what I received:
Etude House Color Lips-Fit
(Shade: Perfect Fit Red)
I have heard plenty about Korean beauty brand Etude House (the ice cream nail polishes have been featured on a few beauty blogs) and they’re known for their cute packaging. I’ve not been able to get my hands on anything so the Color Lips-Fit is my first ever Etude House experience!
It looks like like a lipgloss but it a liquid lipstick with a creamy, powdery, matte finish. It gives full coverage and is bright shade with a vivid colour pay-off. I have been using it as a tint by dabbing on to lips with my finger because the swiping it directly with the doe foot applicator is waaaaay to bright for me. Ends up being quite drying but is nice to put a gloss over it.
This retails on Bonjour for $8.38 which is approximately £5.40.
Castledew Silk Finish Blusher
This is my favourite product out of the whole bunch! I love blushers and this one is so pretty! As you can see, it’s a two toned pink with diamond imprint design and it comes with a small brush too.
Bonjour sells this at around the £11 mark, and when I visit Hong Kong again, I’ll be looking out for these so I can buy them in more shades! It is a silky, matte finish powder that has good amount of pigment for a natural day time look.
Koji Spring Heart false lashes
Ah, on to the all important eye products! This set of false lashes are by Koji (the eyeglue people! Huge beauty brand in Asia!) so I trust that these are very much created with the average asian girl in mind. I have troubles finding false lashes in the UK because I find them far too long.
Trimming them down can sometimes make it lose the curl and if you cut them down too much (like I have done in the past!), it just ends up looking blunt and spiky. My other option is to add volume with individual lashes but I really hate fiddling around with those!
Good job then that I only wear them on special occasions and now I know where to get the perfect set, I will be stocking up!
The Koji Spring Hearts (£2.30) are quite fine so they look natural, and just the right length for me.
Koji Eyelash Curler (short size)
When my old pair of eyelash curlers pulled out about ten eyelashes, I knew it was time to get new ones! The rubber bit is old and dry, and my lashes for stuck inbetween them, so it’s entirely my own fault!
My new pair arrived in time and they are again, by Koji! Bonjour are selling them for $5.92 (approx £3.79) which are a great price! On the packaging, it says that it’s a “short size” eyelash curler which I take it to mean that it’s made for short lashes, but I’m not too convinced as it doesn’t feel any different and after comparing it to my old pair (which I got from Lancome), it looks just the same.
I’m not too fussy with eyelash curlers though, I have never had any problems with the ones I’ve used and I think all eyelash curlers feel and look the same! (Is that a bad beauty blogger thing to say?!)
EOS Lip Balm Spheres
Before EOS become available in the UK, my mum bought me a set from Hong Kong when she travelled there for a holiday. I like them and did a review on the EOS lip balm spheres on my blog in 2012, but I’m so glad you can buy them here now!
This is the only beauty product in the box that’s not Korean, EOS is an American brand. The blue one is Blueberry Acai. I’m not going to open them yet because I have SO many lip balms to go through at the moment, but I bet this smells really good!
I.Color Extremely Black Eyeliner
If I’m being honest, no eyeliner is better than Benefit’s They’re Real Push-Up Liner but I’m pretty much an eyeliner hoarder so I’m happy to try them all!
I.Color’s Colour Pro eyeliner (£6-£7) is a water-based, waterproof eyeliner pen and I’ve got it in the black but unfortunately, it’s not dark enough for me. The nib is a nice design, it’s very thin, easy to control (especially if you’re a beginner) and can build the liner up by going over it a couple of times.
I really wanted to love it, and I know it’s not fair to compare it the Benefit’s Push-Up Liner but nothing comes close in terms of pigment, and staying power.
My Beauty Diary
Rose Brightening Aroma Mask
I really like using sheet masks. However, I have to be really careful with sheet masks because I have had a bad reaction from some of the ones I’ve tried. I’m too scared to try these so I’m going to ask my sister to be the test these out first! I won’t see her until Christmas, but that’s only a few days away so I’m going to have to wait a bit longer for her mini review.
Missha
White Tea Lip & Eye Makeup Remover
At £5-£6, this is a very affordable eye make up remover.
Made in Korea and has not been tested on animals, this makeup remover contains white tea extract to refresh, soothe and remove impurities as well as makeup residue. This is also formulated with rosewater for it’s moisturising and hydrating qualities, and also camellia and chamomile extract to calm skin and reduce irritation.
Reading the ingredients list on the packaging, I can see that it contain methylparaben. I don’t use any skincare or bodycare that has parabens in it so I’m not sure if I will use this. However, it is free from alcohol, oil and fragrance. I have tested it and it does remove eye make up fairly quickly, but I’ve got to be honest, it isn’t a stand out product.
3 Concept Eyes
Volume and Long Lash Mascara
I’m so used to fancy mascara brushes now that when I saw the tiny, thin brush, I was worried that it would cause clumping. But… it’s actually easy to use, and what you see is what you get. None of that marketing gimmick with a fat brush, thin brush, plastic brush, curved brush.
At an affordable £8, 3 Concept Eyes Volume and Long Lash Mascara gives you exactly what you want without the gimmicks. It coats the lashes without clumping and elongates each one without it looking like spider legs. I am really impressed with this mascara, and would buy this again!
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Have you got your eye on any Asian beauty products that you want to try? Have a browse on Bonjour because you could pick it up for a good price! Shipping to the UK cost $10 USD (£6.40 ish) per order which isn’t bad for airmail!
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I love Asian brands, they are usually amazing in quality and packaging ! I always wanted to try 3CE !
Giveaway, win a So…? Fragrance gift set !
http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.fr
I never heard about this store, but I really want to those Etude House tints! They just look too nice and I've been trying to rock the gradient lip as much as possible so, these look like a good option.
I really want to get more Asian beauty this Christmas! <3
Take care*
These look so nice and such good quality xx
http://cristynottingham.blogspot.co.uk
Ohh I love Etude House's Colour Lips Fit! ^ ^
http://www.thedailydollyblog.com
I've actually always wanted to try Korean products but never had the heart to try them but these look too nice not to! Very informative review, I love it.
http://www.internetlyaddicted.blogspot.co.uk
Nice haul, the blush and lip cream look amazing! 🙂
Maeve // Thrift O'Clock
It's so nice to see some new brands, sometimes I get sick of the same things being reviewed!
Kathryn /Cherries in the Snow
There's such a lovely variation here. I've often lusted over things from Etude House but I'm yet to try anything from them, I'm sure if I ever went to East Asia I'd be hunting plenty down 🙂
Megan x
London Callings
I've been itching to try Asian skincare and makeup for such a long time! That Etude House lip color is BEAUTIFUL! And the blusher also looks really nice!
<3 Pauline, ÂÂAddicted to Makeup
Asian cosmetics always appeal to me because I feel like they know their customers very well. I especially gravitate towards their eyeliners because most western liquid liners (due to my hooded eyes), smudges/stamps onto my lid. Thanks for your review, I feel like I know what to look for when I visit Asian markets! 🙂
xx Alyson
The Beauty Vanity
I've wanted to try Korean makeup for ages! I will have to check out this site x
Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness
I don't use beauty products because I don't know how to, but I got my hair done at a Korean hair salon in China (that's where I used to live) and I love it! I dyed my hair a light brown (gorgeous shade, and people often ask me whether it's my natural shade or just give me a nice little compliment which always makes me feel good haha) and also got a wavy perm. My brother always like to comment on my hair when I get back from hair salons. This time he gave a horrified gasp and said, "You look SOOOO Korean!!" which I guess wasn't a good thing in his book, because I'm not Korean, but I love it 🙂 Once my hair starts growing out, I guess I might look into Korean DIY hair dye kits! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
I'm so glad to have read your post on Korean beauty products. I've been fascinated by their beauty products for a while now partly because of the adorable packaging, but tbh was scared to buy as no idea what was good or not. So thanks for this little guide! ?
I am so eager to try out Asian beauty products! I've heard such great things about their skincare items that I know I will have to get my hands on them one day 🙂
Emily // ahemitsemme.blogspot.com
I love asian beauty products! Some of them are really great quality, and the packaging is adorbs too. My korean friend actually uses 3 Concept Eyes religiously for her whole makeup routine, and this just confirms that it's a pretty great brand. And I love EOS lip balms, they're so convenient and cute too 🙂
Sheri | Behind The Frames
I also like Korean beauty products, so gorgeous.
http://www.dctbrand.com
That Etude House lip colour looks amazing! Think I'll have to pick some up soon. 😛
http://theremightbecoffee.wordpress.com/
So excited to try some of these. Thank you!
http://anotherfreakyblog.blogspot.com.es/
I LOVE KOREAN MAKE UP ♥, you recived great products :)!
I didn't knew EOS was asia, but I'm glad now its popular in USA/UK.
Yo, Lolita: http://yo-lolita.blogspot.com